Online Channels and Store Brands: Strategic Interactions

This study examines the strategic interactions between the online channel strategies of a national brand manufacturer and the store brand strategies of a retailer. We develop a game-theoretical model in which a manufacturer makes channel choices, a retailer selects product lines, and both need to take the other’s strategy into consideration. We compare the results with cases where no interactions are involved to explicate how the manufacturer’s online channel choice affects the retailer’s store brand strategy, and vice versa. The results suggest that the retailer executes a more defensive strategy if the threat of the online channel is severe but tends to be cooperative when the threat is less alarming. The manufacturer, however, would rather give up its efficient online channel to act cooperatively when the store brand is introduced. Our findings explain certain stylized facts regarding supply chain coordination

Ride-matching and routing optimisation: Models and a large neighbourhood search heuristic

This paper considers a ridesharing problem on how to match riders to drivers and how to choose the best routes for vehicles. Unlike the others in the literature, we are concerned with the maximization of the average loading ratio of the entire system. Moreover, we develop a flow-dependent version of the model to characterize the impact of pick-up and drop-off congestion. In another extended model we take into account the riders’ individual evaluation on different transportation modes. Due to the large size of the resulting models, we develop a large neighbourhood search algorithm and demonstrate its efficiency

An efficient optimal design methodology for abnormal noise control of automobile transmission in the neutral idle condition

The modal analysis of the automobile transmission housing assembly is formulated using 3D graphics software Pro/E together with Finite Element Method in order to reduce the noise and vibration by accurately identifying the noise source of the transmission in the neutral idle condition. Besides, the calculation of meshing frequency of gear pair is conducted. After comparing model analysis results with the calculation results, we can intuitively analysis the dynamic characteristics of the transmission housing assembly and find out sensitive parts of the housing vibration. In order to enhance the structural stiffness of the transmission housing assembly and allow intentionally the natural frequency of the transmission to avoid the gear meshing frequency, we increase the thickness of thin plate or add the strengthening rib on the weak parts of the transmission housing assembly. The results of the above modified modal reanalysis show that low mode frequencies of the transmission housing assembly are greatly improved after optimization, and avoid the gear meshing excitation frequency effectively. The probability of resonance for the transmission housing assembly in use will be greatly reduced, which can well achieve the purpose of enhancing the dynamic characteristics of the transmission housing assembly

Planning Principles for Integrating Community Empowerment into Zero-Net Carbon Transformation

The adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals is a landmark in international sustainability politics. For example, Europe has set ambitious targets to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. However, numerous case studies from different countries have found that accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions is easily hampered by the lack of a coherent systems framework, and that implementation gaps remain at the community level. These barriers are often due to a lack of an adequate end-user (i.e., household) input and early planning participation. This work therefore aims to improve on conventional planning methods that do not reflect innovative technologies with uncertainty and may not be applicable due to the lack of community empowerment, which is a dynamic learning and intervention opportunity for end-users at different planning stages (i.e., outreach, survey, planning, implementation, management, and maintenance). Using the lessons learned from participatory action research, whereby the author was involved as a project director throughout the planning and design process, we identified a six-step cycle principle. The steps are (1) collective action commitments, (2) local values and resource identification, (3) carbon footprint inventory, (4) optimized integration of environment, economy, and energy action plans, (5) Flexible strategic energy system plans, and (6) digital performance monitoring. Ultimately, the outcomes provide application support for policymakers and planners and stimulate community engagement to contribute to the achievement of zero net carbon emissions

Assessing the Relationship between Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure and Stress Resilience in Real Settings: A Systematic Review

Acute and chronic stress can have detrimental effects on health, particularly in urban environments that lack conducive elements. Optimizing the urban landscape is a preventive measure to enhance well-being and develop healthier cities. This systematic review examines the relationship between stress reduction and urban landscapes, focusing on 19 empirical studies conducted in real urban settings. The findings highlight the physiological and psychological benefits of urban green infrastructure in promoting stress recovery. A well-designed green infrastructure that incorporates objective measurements while considering accessibility, availability, biodiversity, and cumulative effects emerged as crucial for enhancing stress resilience. However, the existing research lacks comprehensive measurements and calls for innovative approaches to ensure evidence-based health outcomes. Interdisciplinary research is needed to develop rigorous methods and tools for understanding the complex link between urban landscapes and stress reduction. This review emphasizes the need for integrating objective measurements of urban green infrastructure and considering accessibility, availability, biodiversity, and cumulative effects to foster healthier urban environments and enhance stress resilience

Chemical protective clothing comfort study: thermal insulation and evaporative resistance from fabric to garment

The relationship between the Rct and Ret of textile material used in CPC and that obtained from CPC garment was investigated. It was found that the Rct and Ret of CPC fabric are reliable predictor for the Rct and Ret of CPC garments respectively. Air gap contributes significantly to the increase of the Rct of CPC garments and fabrics. Heat dissipation by water vapor transfer through CPC is a complex process and different from other kinds of clothing due to its low permeability or impermeability. Further studies on the influential factors of Ret of CPC garments are needed

Analysis of heat stress associated with wearing chemical protective clothing using a numerical model

A numerical model was applied to evaluate heat stress under different thermal environmental conditions, activity intensities, and the effect of movement status on clothing properties when wearing a typical CPC. It was concluded that the ambient temperature and metabolic rate is strongly associated with heat stress and reduced the tolerance time. Although the manikin movement greatly affected the thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of CPC, the effects of movement on heat stress can be neglected